Gazpacho

When life gives you tomatoes..... make gazpacho!

This traditional Southern Spanish cold soup is an absolute hit in the summer. Tomatoes are energetically cooling (hence they come into season in the summer), which makes for a refreshing, nutrient packed way to stay hydrated as we hit the peak months of heat.

You'll need the following ingredients:

  • 2 1/2 pounds of tomatoes, cored and white bits chopped out (you may leave the seeds in, but if you have a reaction to lectins, remove them)

  • 1 large green pepper, cored and seeded

  • 2 medium sized cucumbers, peeled

  • 1/2 red onion, chopped

  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed

  • 1/2 cup filtered water

  • 1/2 cup olive oil

  • 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar

  • salt and pepper to taste

To prepare:

  1. Place all ingredients in a blender or cuisinart and mix until smooth.

  2. Drizzle the olive oil in gently at the end of the blending process.

  3. Place in a mason jar or large bowl and chill in the fridge overnight or for 2 hours (the longer it chills the more flavor it has).

  4. Garnish with a hard boiled egg and Serrano ham.

You may add a few slices of old bread (crusts taken off) to add more consistency to the soup. Add the bread to the blender at the same time as the vegetables.

Andrea Thorpe